The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 404

Haynes's eyes were dark and unreadable. “No need. Just find out where Star is. I'll handle the negotiations myself."

Benson stiffened in surprise. "Yes, sir. I'll get right on it."

...

Inside the studio, Stella was playing her latest composition, fingers gliding effortlessly over the piano keys. She planned to open her next show with this very piece.

The music flowed through the room like a fresh spring, clear and moving, tugging gently at the heart. Stella stood by the window, her graceful silhouette framed by the glass-a living portrait of elegance and poise.

Soft sunlight spilled through gauzy curtains, bathing her in a gentle golden glow. For a moment, it seemed as if the light itself had chosen her as its canvas.

As the last notes faded, a round of applause broke the silence from the doorway.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

surprised to

when did you get

chimed in, "Mr. Richards arrived not long after you started playing. He asked me not

studio. Stella had been spending her days here, practicing. The location wasn't a secret —she'd eventually need to host business meetings-so she'd agreed. Still, she hadn't

and steady. "It was

later. Could you greet them for me? I'll

"Of course.

The space had originally been leased by Antoney before their divorce, back when she first decided to strike

rented a huge workspace-about eight thousand square feet, spread across three floors. The studio had everything: a performance hall,

Stella joined, she borrowed a whole floor from Antoney, but paying for the rent and renovations was another matter. Her savings couldn't come close to covering such

then took him through the other two. When the tour

slightly behind Stella, watching her with a quiet intensity. His normally gentle eyes sparkled with something fierce, like embers caught in a breeze. Stella didn't notice-she'd already stepped back into the main

handed her a stack of printed résumés. "Star, these candidates look promising. Take a look—let me know who you'd like to interview,

Antoney. Antoney had his Own music team, but Stella was starting from scratch. Aside from Abby,

accompanists for certain pieces.